O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
New Testament
Acts 4:5-12
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
23
*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
New Testament
1 John 3:16-24
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
John 10:11-18
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 10, beginning at verse 11.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.'
After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Christ.
Prayers of the People
Brothers and sisters, God's ears are always open to the prayers of His people.
Therefore, let us bring our needs and the needs of the whole world before Him.
That the Church will remain faithful in preaching that there is no other Name under heaven by which one may be saved, but the Holy Name of Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That Church leaders will shepherd their people in the manner of Christ the Good Shepherd.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That our schools and hospitals will turn to God and seek His guidance and grace as they serve the needs of their people.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That as God's representatives on earth, we will help satisfy the hungry, welcome the stranger, remember the widow and orphan, and protect the unborn.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who live in fear will remember that God is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will love in word and deed by laying down our lives for others.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our own special intentions.
(Pause) Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God our Father, because of Your great goodness and mercy You care for us.
Hear our prayer and grant us the grace to follow Jesus our Good Shepherd.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN